AGRICULTURAL WORKER, X1, - UNDERWOOD
This job opportunity is limited to qualified, available workers that are currently eligible to work in the United States, per federal regulation.
This job order is for This job requires harvesting, thinning, irrigation, training, and pruning by the worker.Crops: Apple, pears, cherries, plums, peaches, blueberry, raspberry, marion berry, loganberry, mulberry, walnut, and chestnut. These crops listed may or may not be planted and employer is not limited to only these crops listed.
APPLES/CHERRIES/ PLUMS/ PEACHES/PEARS Harvest: Worker will hand harvest apples, cherries, plums, peaches and pears. Worker will attach harness, bucket or bag and picks low hanging fruit while standing on the ground and higher branches while standing on a ladder. Worker will pick according to grade, color and size by grasping fruit with the hands and removing from the tree in a motion so as not to harm adjacent buds on the tree branches. Worker will carry harness, bucket or bag of up to 60 lbs. and will place fruit into bins, which hold approximately 22 bushels of fruit. Care must be exercised at all times to prevent bruising of fruit or breaking of branches. Some workers may be required to examine harvested fruit in bins and sort out any fruit not meeting the grade, color and size specifications. Workers must possess ability to pick up, handle a 10 ft. or 12 ft. orchard ladder weighing 40 pounds
THINNING: Thinning is a manual process used to control the size and quality of grown fruit. Must possess ability to pick up, handle a 10 ft. or 12 ft. orchard ladder weighing 40 pounds. This process requires the employee to remove, in some cases not limited to the smallest fruit blossom,
bud and/or identifiable fruit from within a cluster of other fruits. Workers will be expected to be able to identify and remove fruit that is misshapen, damaged and/or with other quality problems as directed by supervisors. Thinning may be performed from the ground or a ladder.
TRACTOR DRIVER: A tractor operator must be able to operate a manual transmission style clutch and gear operation. The operator must perform daily inspections during start up and shutdown of the machine such as checking oil levels, cleaning air filters, and checking tire
pressures. The operations the employee may be asked to do may be running implements such as a mower, rototiller, bin trailer, bin forks or forklift. The operator will be trained on all tasks and safety regulations set by manufacturer’s guidelines and sign off that they have been
properly trained. Company training is a requirement for this position. 40 hour work week may include nights and weekends, as directed by farm Manager.
IRRIGATOR: The main responsibility of the irrigator is to move water throughout the farm to properly irrigate the orchard. The irrigator will use in a safe manner a 4-wheeler to travel from block to block to open and close valves and check lines for plugs, remove debris that disrupts sprinklers, and make any necessary repairs. Irrigators may at times need to make PVC repairs that are under ground and need to be dug up with a shovel. Other repairs may be
above ground and may require the use of a ladder. All tools and necessary repair materials will be provided to the irrigator. Company training is a requirement for this position. 40 hour work week may include nights and weekends, as directed by Supervisor or Farm Manager.
TRAINING:
*Propping, training and limb positioning apple, plum, pear, cherry, mulberry, walnut and chestnut trees.
*Hand thinning of apple, plum and cherry trees to ensure proper crop load.
*Shoot thinning, sucker removal, cluster thinning, shoot positioning, hedging, leaf removal.
*Trellising of cranberries according to variety requirements: raspberry, marionberry, loganberry.
PRUNING: Pruning numerous varieties of plum, apple, cherry, pear, chestnut and mulberry trees according to established company
procedures based on the difference in the treatment of different varieties, as well as the pruning and trellising of blueberry, raspberry and marionberry. Work will be performed on trees for long periods of time using a variety of pruning equipment including hand shears, hand loppers, power pruners, chainsaws, hand saws, and 10 ft. or 12 ft. ladders. Pruning may be done from the ground or a ladder up to 12 feet in height. Workers may be required to selectively prune only trees of a certain size and color as instructed by the farm manager. Workers are expected to possess or acquire pruning skills in order to identify and remove stubs or broken branches, downward growing branches, branches which rub against each other, shaded interior branches, dead wood and shoots/suckers with hand pruning saws and clippers, mechanized equipment in pruning activities.
Other Job Specifications Include:
Worker will care for young non-producing fruit trees and caneberries including weeding, hoeing, trunk painting, hand fertilizing and
growth selection by hand and clipping.
•Hand thinning of apple, cherry, plum and pear trees to ensure proper fruit load on tree.
•Pruning of apple, cherry, peach, plum and pear trees.
•Training and limb positioning of apple, cherry, peach, plum and pear trees.
Provide general labor to assist in the establishment of new orchard by clearing property, planting trees, building trellis, repair and spreading of composted material and
any other labor considered necessary for the efficient structure of new orchard.
1.Cares for trees during growing process- recognize tree disease such as of blighted branches in apples and gummosis in cherries.
2.Harvest preparation including spreading liners in bins, rolling bins into blocks by hand, and shade cloth deployment and retraction.
3.Propping and tying of apple, cherry, peach, plum and pear trees and limbs.
4.Pruning and thinning may be done from the ground or ladder up to 12 feet in height.
5.Repair sprinklers and solid set irrigation lines. Excavation may be required.
6.Load and unload empty bins by hand.
7.Picking numerous varieties of apples, cherries, plums and pears according to established company procedures accounting for difference in the treatment of different
varieties.
8.Hand harvesters may be required to selectively pick only fruit of a certain color and/or size as instructed by the supervisor.
9.Hand harvesters will be required to handle fruit carefully and not bruise or damage fruit when it is placed in the bin.
Workers can also:
1. Drive tractors for tilling, mowing, hauling.
2. Operate forklift and trucks to carry farm equipment, crops and farmworkers.
3. Perform general repair of agricultural buildings and equipment.
In addition to pruning, thinning, training and harvest, the worker may be asked to perform other normal small diversified farm activities such, as but not limited to, barn and outbuilding repair, trellis construction and maintenance, land clearing and tree planting, cleaning barns, spreading
manure and compost production, stone wall repair, weed control, irrigation, and deer or livestock fence construction and repair. In all cases, instruction as well as any necessary equipment will be provided. The Worker will receive proper training to be in compliance with state laws that
require additional training for individuals. Weed control is only mechanical. No application of pesticides will be required.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
3 months of tree fruit experience
Ability to lift 60 lbs.
Willing to commit to the entire contract
HOURS/DAYS/SCHEDULE
Contract Dates: March 15, 2024 – November 30, 2024
Working 40 hours, 7 hours a day Monday – Friday and 5 hours on Saturday
SALARY/WAGE/BENEFITS:
No work will be performed at less than the AEWR of $19.25 AEWR
The payroll period shall be biweekly.
The employer will furnish, without charge, all tools, supplies and personal protective equipment required in the performance of the specified work.
The Employer will furnish cooking facilities with working appliances, hot water, a place to
prepare food at no cost to employees occupying employer-provided housing. Employees will purchase their own food and prepare their own meals. In the event that it becomes necessary for the employer to provide 3 meals a day to the workers, the employer will deduct $15.46 per day or the current allowable charge as designated by the DOL from each worker’s pay.
Transportation costs to the job site for domestic workers from outside the local commuting distance of the job site will be reimbursed by the employer after 50% of the contract period. In order to comply with the FLSA, the employer will advance any amount owed prior to the first paycheck. Workers who do not complete 50% of the contract will have the advance deducted from their final paycheck.
The Employer will offer transportation to and from employer provided housing to the work site,
at no cost to workers who qualify.
Employer guarantees to offer employment for the hourly equivalent of 3/4 or 75% of the workdays of the work contract beginning with the first day of work.
Full employment description of employer benefits is available from the employer.
CLOSING DATE/DEADLINE
Employer will accept referrals until July 24, 2024
HOW TO APPLY/REQUEST A REFERRAL
This employer has asked WorkSource to refer only fully qualified applicants for this job. If you would like to request a referral, please contact any WorkSource office for detailed instructions on how to apply.
Job Id: 267739991
WorkSource is an equal opportunity employer and provider of employment and training services. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to persons with disabilities.
Washington Relay Services: 711
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Staff Special Instructions
Please follow the link to the side by side checklist, Workers' rights trifold and a copy of the complete job order for inspection.